Maasai Olympics: Athletic Events

Prior to the official start of the competitions, the contestants practice their high jumps.

High jump contestants must jump straight up into the air from a standing position - no running approach.

Contestants in the 200m sprint.

Winners of the 800m & 5000m races win a safari to New York City and sponsored entrance to run in the New York Marathon.

Contestants compete at local and regional levels; winners are then eligible to compete in the culmination of the sports event: Maasai Olympics.

A contestant in the rungu toss warms up as he attempts to place the heavy wooden fighting club into the distant net.

The intense focus, strength, and agility of all warrior contestants are impressive.

Distance is the goal of the javelin throw.

Each contestant gets 3 attempts in this event; the longest throw counts as his score.

For the high jump competition, string is stretched between 2 posts to measure the height of the jumps.

As in the javelin throw, each contestant in the high jump is allowed 3 jumps, with his highest counting as his score.

Obviously, the taller athletes have an advantage in this contest.

The athlete’s head (not the top of his hair) must touch the string to be counted.

This contestant’s jump measures 8’6”.

The final contest of the day is an open run for any Maasai male who wishes to participate. Although many of the contestants have not been in training, it is quite a competitive race where nothing is left on the track.